Title: I'm Not Crazy
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist
Author: ice shredder
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Warnings: none
Summary: "The opportunity was there in front of me. How could I resist? It's just science. What's the big deal?" Shou Tucker's POV.
Enjoy guys!
I'm screwed.
Assessment's almost here. And I still have nothing to show for it.
I sat at the kitchen table in the dark, holding my throbbing head. Trying to contain the pipebomb Brigadier General Basque dropped on me just the other day via Mustang.
"Remember assessment day is coming. I look forward to it."
I clasped my sweating palms under my chin in an attempt to quell the anger and stress from Mustang's message. The nerve of that womanizing stair climber. Easy for him to say; his alchemy's at the snap of a finger.
What does that corporate suit know of slaving to produce research results? Perform delicate trasmutations? Take down copious notes that nobody else can produce?
The room's dimness mirrored my mood to a tee. Dark. Brooding. Merciless. What I told those nosy boys earlier was true. I can't go back to being poor. So I'll do whatever it takes to pass-
Whatever it takes, eh?
I embraced the sinister thought like a long lost lover, sinking into its comforting arms. What? I'm not crazy. That's a label normal folks slap on things their puny minds can't possibly begin to fathom in a million years.
Yes. All I need now is-
"Daddy?"
Nina's innocent voice did nothing special like stir parental affection. All it did was solidify what needed to be done. In the name of science, some things take last place.
There it is. That soothing voice whispered. The ingredient to your success. It's right in front of you. Take it.
Slowly as if some other entity was manipulating my limbs, I rose from my chair and mechanically knelt in front of my tiny test subject. Why didn't I see this before? My first guinea pig was too rigid, too set in its ways. But a child is much more...malleable. Clay is best shaped when wet.
I pulled this soft, impressionable lump into my arms. "I'm at the end of the line...Nina." Oops. What I meant to say was my meal ticket to fame. Riches. Glory. Praise from the Furher himself. Unlimited funding.
"Daddy? Do you hurt?"
Hurt? I turned to face her in all her sweet, trusting glory. The only person who's gonna be hurting is me if I produce a substandard creation. Besides I promised the boys I'd show them a talking chimera. One that's capable of understanding human speech.
I led the little lamb and her mutt downstairs to my lab. I mean...I did promise I'd play with her.
Everything was ready. Exactly the way I'd left it the night before. The walls, ceiling and floor were decorated with alchemic symbols and annograms required for the chimera ritual. I felt them hum in anticipation, and I could hardly wait to begin the ancient, haunting chant. Everything had to be perfect.
I was all too eager for them to accept my latest offerings.
"Hold Alexander still Nina," I ordered and she complied. Such an obedient child, things are running a whole lot smoother than last time. Book in hand I began reciting the powerful magic that would make my dream a reality.
The circle glowed yellow, then as my voice gained momentum and strength the reaction changed to a hellish red light. Human screams mixed with terrified howls. My voice grew harsh and loud as if a demon had clawed his way up from hell to finish the satanic combination. Then I slammed the sweat-stained book shut, the last syllable leaping from my tongue in a perfect clip. Peering through the acrid smoke that hung like a shroud over the burnt out transmutation circle.
Did it work? I'll lose everything if this blows.
Then I saw it. My masterpiece. I'll be worshipped! People will flock to me in droves and I will show that I'm leagues better than that prodigy.
Now for the true test. I walked over and knelt in front of my meal ticket. "Listen to me dear. I'm your daddy."
The chimera gazed at me with dried glue white eyes. Come on. Speak! Sweat trickled down my back trapping my shirt against my clammy skin. Then...
"Dad..dy."
I exhaled in relief. Science wins again. I can't wait to see the looks on those boys' face when they see what I, Shou Tucker the Sewing-Life Alchemist have accomplished-
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
What the hell is this kid's problem?! He's a scientist for cripes sake...he of all people should understand this is for the progression of the human race...to better ourselves weaker specimens must be sacrificed...
I felt my lip split open, tasted my blood trickling down my chin. My head throbbed from being bashed against the wall repeatedly and I lost my glasses in the frenzy. Not that I care. He can scream and rant and rave about toying with people's lives till his face turns blue and it won't change anything. It's cute really, watching him attempt to deny the truth. I closed my ears to his empty threats. This fool committed the same sin I did and he's got the balls to stand there and attempt to play the judge? Preach about ethics? Really?
Hypocrite. Feel free to remove the plank from your own eye first.
I caught glimpses of it between punches that my Nina-chimera put an abrupt stop to...such a good, sweet girl...in those furious golden eyes. The same insatiable curiousity that drove him and his stupid baby brother to break the rules. Cause deep down in the pit of his miserable core this fool knew what he did was wrong. I crumpled to the floor unable to wipe the manic smile from my face. Why should I? He's just jealous that's all. Yeah. Jealous. Jealous of the fact I performed a successful bio-chemical transmutation...one that in all his genius, he failed to accomplish. Granted I wasn't doing something retarded, like trying to play God...but still. It doesn't change the fact we're exactly the same.
His screamed denials were music to my ears. Get over yourself boy. Does it really matter what motivated our actions? Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest the most tempting. And since the opportunity was right in front of us, we both plucked from the tree and ate. We're the same! We're exactly the same you fool!
I kept throwing that truth into his face, grinding the salt further into that jagged wound ripped across his heart. Besides they can't do anything to reverse the damage. When the self-righteous tools finally left I released a satisfied breath. I crawled towards my glasses, snugged them over my eyes. Washed and bandaged my face. I peered out of the window. What? Why are there MPs standing around? Whatever. I guess there's nothing to do but wait, so I pulled a chair from the corner and sat down facing my chimera. My precious meal ticket. I don't have to worry about going broke ever again.
They're not seriously gonna arrest me, are they? So those boys commit taboo and all they get is a slap on the wrist and near unlimited funds? What kind of sick, twisted reasoning is that?! HOW IS ANY OF THIS FAIR?! Why is nobody capable of understanding me?!
I'm not crazy. Those Elrics on the other hand-yeah...they've lost it, or at least the older one's well on his way...hehehe...yeeeeah. His mind started cracking the night those idiots 'transmuted' Mommy dearest. I can picture it now: waaaaah...h-how we gonna live w-without her b-brother...waaaahh WAAAAAHH... I'm relishing the fact that fool's losing his bloody mind. Not like he needs any more help there...but I live to serve.
Oh and while we're at it? Screw those mama's boys to the highest levels of sorrow, pain and regret. They deserve to drink every last bitter drop. When you're that arrogant and commit the unforgivable forget any sympathy from me.
I'd laugh if it wasn't so pathetic. Little Al starting the ultimate trainwreck...tsk, tsk shame on you boy...this is all YOUR fault-you planted the seed in Ed's fertile mind and now you're reaping what you've sown-
Lightning flashed and before I knew what was happening I saw a large foreboding outline of a tall dark-skinned man with a large pale X-shaped scar on his forehead standing in the doorway. My gut started churning. Something's not right. How did he get past the MPs? Impossible!
He walked toward me with purpose, his voice filled with gravel and malice...and why won't my legs move?
"Foolish alchemists who stray from the path of God-" His right arm crackled and I realized too late he was the State Alchemist killer. His massive hand almost swallowed my entire face.
No! Don't touch me-!
"-shall be punished!"
A horrific burning pain rushed through me and I felt myself spiraling toward a yawning abyss.
RxR? I'd appreciate it a lot guys! :) I might turn this into a multi-shot.